October 3--One year later

**WARNING--Some of these pictures are graphic**

Benjamin is growing and developing great these days. Physically, he's able to do quite a bit. I'm amazed at how well he is doing.

Sometimes life does seem just like a day in the park.





Of course, one year ago today, on October 3, 2008, things were not at all gleeful.

At 7:30 a.m., I handed him over to the nurses at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.



And he had his heart fixed.



It took my breath away to see this picture again.



And to think of how far we've come.

Sure, life isn't all a day in the park. Even when we're at the park, I see children Benjamin's age running around and going up and down stairs and down slides unassisted.

Even though that part isn't as hard as the fact that he's so terribly behind verbally.

And he always will be.

But you know what?

It's okay.

Even though as I'm typing this I have tears rolling down my cheeks because no matter how okay with it I am, it still saddens me, it's still okay.

I have so much to be thankful for.

I can hear Benjamin playing with his toys in his playpen in the next room.

I can hear loud banging and cars crashing upstairs in the bonus room where Andrew is.

I can see Matthew across the room working on the dishes from our dinner last night.

It is a beautiful, crisp autumn day.

God's mercies truly are new each morning. His love surely is all I need.

It's okay.

In fact, somedays, it's more than okay.

It's a day in the park.